Lindsey files for Hamlet City Council

A 61-year-old retired air traffic controller will be running for his first office since being elected president of Hamlet High School — Class of 1972.

David H. Lindsey, of Jefferson Street, is a registered Democrat who returned to his hometown of Hamlet in 2003 and operates Vector Shirts, an embroidery company that focuses on providing American-made products.

David H. Lindsey

“I’m just trying to move Hamlet forward,” Lindsey said in a telephone interview on Monday, the first day individuals can declare their candidacy with the Richmond County Board of Elections. The filing period remains open until noon on Friday, July 17.

Lindsey was one of seven people to file for local office. Rockingham Mayor Steve Morris filed for a second full term, and council members C. Bennett Deane III and Denise Sullivan also filed for re-election. In addition, Anne M. Edwards — appointed after Councilman Travis Billingsley resigned in April — filed to retain her seat.

Hamlet Mayor Bill Bayless is seeking a second term at the helm of the city of 6,500 people and Councilman Johnathan Buie also is seeking re-election.

Lindsey, however, was the only newcomer introduced to the local political field — but he’s is no stranger to the city of Hamlet. His family’s roots go back a century.

“I’ve got a lot of interest in parks and recreation,” Lindsey said. “That wouldn’t be my sole focus, but I’d like to continue to improve them and try to make it a better place to live.”

Lindsey was the driving force behind the nonprofit Friends of Hamlet which, with the help of community donations, built the Field of Dreams complex at the American Legion over a two-year period ending in 2006. The complex included three ballfields and a concession stand.

“It was all community-based,” Lindsey said. “We didn’t have any real financial support from the city or the county. We made it happen.”

Lindsey said the city of Hamlet, CSX and the Cole Foundation pitched in to assist with the group’s second, smaller project of building a concession stand at the South Hamlet field.

“The community stepped forward,” Lindsey said. “It’s one of those make-you-feel-good kind of things. I’d buy the shingles, somebody would come put ’em on for free.”

The Friends group also manages an annual Secret Santa campaign to assist approximately four dozen area youth obtain school clothes, school supplies and personal hygiene products.

Lindsey’s grandparents, Dr. W.D. James and Lillian D. James, started Hamlet Hospital and the School of Nursing in 1915. His mother, Janet Lindsey Petris, was the first female to serve on the Richmond Technical Institute’s Board of Trustees. She was the only woman to serve on the board for 15 years, Lindsey said.

As for public service, Lindsey said, “I guess some of it’s in the blood. I feel like I have the ability to help. I’m gonna give it four years and see what happens.”

Election Day for the Dobbins Heights municipal election is Oct. 6. All other elections will be contested on Nov. 3.